To avoid a scheduling conflict with Major League Baseball's postseason, Penn State's Oct. 7 game at the University of Minnesota is in jeopardy of being moved to Nov. 25.

Officials from the Big Ten, Penn State and Minnesota decided last week that if a conflict arose, the alternate date -- Saturday, Nov. 25 -- would work out best for those directly involved.

The change could mean a bye week for Penn State, a luxury that the other nine conference teams may not be happy about.

Rescheduling to Nov. 25 would give the Nittany Lions a week off going into their game against Michigan, something that may draw the ire of Wolverines coach Lloyd Carr. In 2003, when the same situation arose, despite Carr's adamant protests, Michigan's game at Minnesota was rescheduled to the Friday night before its original date.

If the baseball season ended today, the Minnesota Twins, who play their home games in the Metrodome, would be scheduled to host a playoff game on Oct. 7. Such a scenario would push the game between the Nittany Lions and Golden Gophers -- who also use the Metrodome as their home facility -- to another date.

Discussions to make Thursday, Oct. 5 the alternate date were halted after Penn State made its case that a Thursday night game would require its student athletes to miss as many as three days of classes.

"We can't talk out of both sides of our mouths," Penn State football coach Joe Paterno said. "We can't have the NCAA saying we have to do a better job with these kids academically and then give in to Major League Baseball because they say we can't play a football and baseball game in the same stadium on the same Saturday."

As of press time, the Twins trailed the Detroit Tigers by XXX with 12 games yet to be played.

The final decision of when this game will be played will not be made until the conclusion of the baseball regular season on Oct. 1.

If the baseball playoff race comes down to the last day of the season, then it is possible Penn State's coaches can wake up on Sunday morning not knowing whether or not to prepare for Minnesota, with the game potentially just six days later.

Penn State fans planning to make the trip will also be left in the dark until the last moment.

According to a Penn State press release, though, fans unable to attend the rescheduled game are also eligible for reimbursements of direct financial losses stemming from nonrefundable travel arrangements and unused game tickets.

The University of Minnesota will be financially responsible for all additional direct costs incurred by Penn State as a result of the rescheduling.